blwillis214

I'm new here guys but I've been getting some relief already by reading posts from people who have similar symptoms as I do..

I am a 23 yr old physically fit guy.. Runs every other day, (in the gym on that other day)...

Let me start off by saying I've always been an anxious person (since childhood) I'd always think I had some kind of ailment.. When I turned 17 I had my first panic attack.. I though at the time I was having a heart attack.. Went to the ER had an ekg all fine.. Went home feeling better, but still not right.. Ever since then I would take my blood pressure multiple times a day.. That is my overall health monitor for myself.. If I get a good reading I can take the cuff off and be satisfied for a while.. If I get a high one, I freak right out and have to tell myself "this has happened before I'll be fine", to keep from going to the ER.. Long story short I obsess over my Blood Pressure..

Just recently now I'm having what I'll refer to as a "flare up" in symptoms.. The constant racing thoughts of what could be wrong with me, the increased frequency in checking my blood pressure, the overall feeling that this could be the end.. I know the feeling all to well and I tell myself that It will be ok, but the "what ifs" tend to win over on rational thinking most of the time.. What should I do is the question I find myslef asking now... I just don't want to stroke out at 23 while i'm excercising you know.. Sometimes my mind tells me I will... I am seeing a physch, but it's helping out only slightly.. I've taken benzo's and they tend to help with the racing thoughts and will level me out, but I don't like popping a pill everyday to be normal... I thought I had this under control and I did for 2years, but out of the blue a panic attack, and then from there on ( 4 months ago) here I am in full anxiety and panic mode... Where do I go from here??